Tochigi prefectural authorities lifted a level-five "Emergency Safety Assurance" order in Ashikaga City on Saturday [1].
The decision follows a period of heavy rain that threatened the region with severe flooding and landslides. While the danger has subsided in some areas, the continued alert in neighboring districts highlights the volatile nature of the region's geography during extreme weather events.
The order was officially lifted in the Keno and Tomita districts of Ashikaga City at 11:30 a.m. local time on July 18 [2]. This level-five alert is the highest tier of emergency warning in Japan, requiring residents to take immediate action to ensure their own safety.
Despite the progress in Ashikaga, officials said the order remains in effect for several areas within Sano City [1]. The affected neighborhoods in Sano include Kami-Hada Town, Shimo-Hada Town, Namiki Town, Mendori Town, Konaka Town, Murakami Town, and Takahashi Town [3].
Local government officials said the continued restrictions in Sano are necessary because some ground remains unstable and rivers are still swollen [1]. The risk of secondary disasters, such as mudslides or levee failures, persists even after the heaviest rainfall has ceased.
Authorities are continuing to monitor water levels and soil saturation in the Sano districts. Residents in those areas are advised to remain vigilant and follow all local safety directives until the order is formally rescinded [1].
“The order was officially lifted in the Keno and Tomita districts of Ashikaga City at 11:30 a.m.”
The split in emergency status between Ashikaga and Sano cities demonstrates how localized topography and river basin dynamics create varying risk profiles during the same weather system. By maintaining the level-five order in Sano, officials are prioritizing the prevention of casualties from delayed geological failures, such as landslides, which often occur after the rain stops but while the soil is saturated.
